Fitchip custom frequency shafts

gkyle · February 20, 2007

I recently purchased some Mizuno MP-32 heads and need to pick some iron shafts. I play DG SL s300 shafts in my current MP-60s, swing speed with 5i is about 86, driver 108. I don't know my launch angle with the irons, but it seems plenty high. With my HiBore XL 9.5 driver w/red/stiff shaft my launch is 13*. My handicap is 4.0.

There's a shop here (Lotus Golf) that uses a device (fitchip.com) to supposedly determine your optimum frequency with every club and custom fit you to one of their shafts so that every club is the right frequency for your swing. He said that instead of four different flexes, he has 130. They said they can also make recommendations for OEM shafts that might be close, but without a frequency analyzer I'd be ballpark at best. Does anyone have any experience with this method?

Also, the sales guy there turned me off by claiming that all OEM shaft differences were total bunk and all that's necessary is to get the frequency dead-on so your release is timed perfect to allow for a square face at impact. He even suggested that the difference between, say a DG S300 and TTLite XL Stiff were inconsequential. He also made me feel like an idiot for insisting on steel in my irons versus his custom graphite.

I'm really inclined to give the Rifle 5.5 a look, but I would like opinions in the Fitchip system as well if anyone is familiar.

thewitt · February 20, 2007

I would never do business with someone who is in any profession if his goal is to make his customers feel like an idiot and show them he knows more than they do about his profession.

Sorry.

He may be the best in the business, but if he made me feel like an idiot I'd tell him why and leave the shop.

-t

RagingAardvark · February 20, 2007

I would never do business with someone who is in any profession if his goal is to make his customers feel like an idiot and show them he knows more than they do about his profession.

Sorry.

He may be the best in the business, but if he made me feel like an idiot I'd tell him why and leave the shop.

-t

Same here, there's plenty of shops that will never see another $ from me due to their sales staff. Oddly enough, I've found it's the ones that don't really know what they're talking about that are the most irritating. At least I've calmed down since college when I almost went over a counter at a backshop manager. :drinks:

gkyle · February 20, 2007

I know... I already asked the guy what shifts he worked, which he happily provided. Now I'll just make sure I go at a different time, if at all. My biggest question for the forum is about the custom frequency matching approach versus the trial and error method I've always used. Without trying them, I'm not sure from the marketing hype I can tell the difference between a Rifle 5.5, Project X, DG SL, or even N.S.Pro 950GH Nippon.

How does everyone else make sure the frequency matches their swing? This guy actually said that swingspeed is largely irrelevant; that the loading and tempo elements are what determines what shaft is needed.

thewitt · February 20, 2007

The Fit Chip philosophy is pretty unique.

I've been fit twice by the inventor as part of his demonstrating the tool at the PCS Expo. Both times he put me in a shaft that I actually built into a demo club later. Both times I could not hit that club to save my life.

I so much wanted to like that fitting tool - I could not.

-t

mac94 · February 20, 2007

He may be the best in the business, but if he made me feel like an idiot I'd tell him why and leave the shop.

Funny, but that is how I felt when I was told to "deal with it" when all I asked was if there was a way to insert prosofts without the tool. No way in heck am I ever going to buy that tool now. I suspect the guy on the grip size discussion feels similarly.